Broadcasting and the Modern Maori

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 16, 26 October 1934, Page 12

Broadcasting and the Modern Maori

Special to the "Radio Radio"

N the night of November 1, at 10 o’clock, New Zealand is broadcasting a special international goodwill programme to the Empire. This programme . will include messages by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. W.| Forbes) and the Mayors of the four main centres and a first-class Maori concert by the Raukawa Maori Party, which numbers 25, and is under the direction. of Pirimi Tahiwi. Apart from the general interest overseas and with the : New Zealand pakehas, the Maoris throughout the Dominion will be ‘taking a keen interest in this broadcast, because, as Mr. Tahiwi said to a "Radio Record" representative the. oiher day, "Since its inception in this country, radio has become a very important factor in the social fabric of Maori life." Mr. Tahiwi is a. master at the. Otaki Maori College and comes from a very well-known and greatlyrespected family, which has frequently -been heard over the e1ir from 2YA. "Through its medium," continued Mr. Tahiwi, "the Maori has become more alive to things around him, his interest in art, music and the broadcasting of Maori- programmes has hecome apparent, and has, indeed, materially helped to stimulate among the Maori people the preservation of their ancient customs, songs (pateres), pastimes and war-dances. "The Otaki Maoris had the honour of giving the first Maori concert over the air, and although it is now some years ago, I still think that it was the finest . which has so far been broadcest by 2YA. "Several pageants have been held in Wellington, and in jaost cases the Otaki Maoris have taken a very prominent part in them. A great. deal of ‘the success has been due to Mrs. Te Ao, Mrs..Te Hana, Mrs. Heperi, Rev. Te Muera, J. Rikihana and Puna Taipua, who have been the main-

stay in all the Otaki party’s big shows. of the Wanganui Maori party I know very little apart from what I have heard

divring their concert. from 2YA on several occasions, "Many radio sets have found their way into Maori ‘homes. Being a music-loving people, this is not to be wondered at. In spite of the depression, radio is being extensively used by Maoris, and this has been made possible by the efficient and inexpensive sets-:on the market, which makes it possible even for a relief worker to purchase a set at a rate of 2/fa 2/6 per week. No, I have not come across any communal sets in the pa or wharepunis, probably because, as a rule, owners of priyate sets invite their friends along to: share their enjoyment of broadcasts of all descriptions." Readers will probably recollect the reference made by our Auckland correspondent last week to "community" sets 0 Rotorua, where the Maoris regard their neighbours’ sets as something to be shared. My. Kingi Tahiwi,. translater for the Native Department, and interpreter of ‘the House, is a brother of Mr. Pirimi Tahiwi, and also gives some interesting opinions concerning the modern Maoris. Mr. Kingi ‘Tahiwi. does not entirely agree with the statement made by Major-General Sir George Richardson in this year’s "Radio Record Annual." Sir George, like many others, maintains that the influnence of rhe white man on the Maoris has been definitely detrimental, "The pakeha has been the means of placing the Maori on a higher plane of intellectualism-by not only introducing Christianity, but by protecting him from his primitive customs, including cannibalism," says Mr. Kingi Tahiwi. "The pakehas have given the Maori access to his literature, music and art in general. Maori music? It must also evolve as

the Empire’s music has evolved from the plain ‘songs and chants to the greatest. masterpieces in operas and oratorios. The remarkabie eyolution ot the Maori during the past 120 years has, of course, been somewhat -artificial. The changes have been so sudden, whereas in other countries, England for instance, the ‘evolution has been gradual and has taken many centuries. However, the Maori must adapt himself to his environments and continue in this process of his swift evolution. He cannot goa back or stand still, That nfeans stagnation, and if he stagnates he is lost. It is therefore the duty of those. who have the welfare of the Maoris at heart to see that these fine people jmake a real and proper contribution to the future of the nation, But for the coming of thé white man to New Zealand, and his culture| the Maori would still be primitive. "It is not enough that the Maori should ceultivule a fine body and intellect, bedause if the (Contnued on page 20.) Sol, 4

Maori Broadcasting

(Continued from page 12.) Maori wants to be equal to the pakeha he must strive to gain hig trust. "Ninety-five per cent. of the. pakeha women are indifferent to the Maoris. They regard them as. curiosities and good entertainment, but, as with most other coloured races, there is a very strong social barrier. Fifty per cent. of the pakeha men treat the Maoris this way, the other 50 per cent. treat them on equal terms with the pakeha. I refer in this case, of .course, to the educated Maoris, who should be on an equal footing with white men. So it is easily seen that the Maori must work hard if he wants to avoid that line of demarcation. It is a big hurdle to have to jump, but I believe it can and will be done." Asked whether he thought the Maori race would prefer to come on stich equal terms with the nakeha as to merge into the white race, Mr. Kingi Tahiwl said that he supposed every race would prefer to keep its own identy. "At present we show the world too much of the picturesque side of the Maori in the tourist resorts, which is not the true representation of the modern Maori, but is Only an echo of the past being commercialised. This type of lazy show life is detrimental to the Maori, who needs work and education. It is about time that a true representation of the modern Maodri’s trend of thought is shown to overseas visitors. "These are my opinions and those ‘of my people, for whom I speak," said Mr. Kingi Tahiwi.. "Of course I do not include those of the older generation, who cannot see eye to eye with the modern Maoris, and still cling to the memories of past days. I think, too, that these opinions which I have given are also those of the broadminded, far-seeing pakehas, whom the Matis love and respect."